Coronavirus

Manatee County Issues Mask Resolution

The local medical community estimates that up to 48 percent of Manatee County residents may be asymptomatic or pre-symptomatic and spreading the novel coronavirus.

07/28/2020 By Megan McDonald

Breaking News

Sarasota's Museum of African American History and Culture Announces Location

The museum will be housed in the historic Leonard Reid home, currently located at Seventh Street and Cohen Way in the Rosemary District.

07/24/2020 By Megan McDonald

Shop Talk

Local Designer Opens New Downtown Sarasota Boutique

Camilyn Leavitt has relocated her showroom to a new ground-floor space on Palm Avenue.

07/17/2020 By Megan McDonald

Coronavirus

Publix, Other National Retailers Will Require Shoppers to Wear Masks

The move comes amid a surge of COVID-19 infections in the South and West, including Florida, which on Thursday reported 13,965 new COVID-19 cases and 156 deaths.

07/16/2020 By Megan McDonald

Coronavirus

Holmes Beach Issues Mandatory Face Mask Order

The city says the ordinance is necessary for the health, safety and welfare of the community, especially as daily numbers continue to shatter records.

06/26/2020 By Megan McDonald

Civil Rights

Activists Launch Petition to Rename Journalism School After Sarasota Resident

Charlayne Hunter-Gault, an award-winning journalist and civil rights leader, was the first black student to integrate the University of Georgia.

06/15/2020 By David Hackett and Megan McDonald

Troubled Times

Sarasota's Black Community Reacts to the Death of George Floyd

A chorus of voices speaks out about racism, justice and our future.

06/02/2020 By Susan Burns, Megan McDonald, Heather Dunhill, Kay Kipling, Jessika Ward, and Cooper Levey-Baker

But Wait, There's More

The 2020 Atlantic Hurricane Season Has Arrived. Here's What to Expect.

What can we do to keep safe this season—especially as we deal with the COVID-19 pandemic?

06/01/2020 By Megan McDonald

Coronavirus

More Than 40 Million Americans Are Out of Work

New data from the Department of Labor shows that 2.1 million more people filed for unemployment benefits last week.

05/28/2020 By Megan McDonald

Designing Mind

Peek Inside Fashion Influencer Blair Eadie's Colorful Sarasota Home

Eadie's 1920s cottage is a reflection of its owner.

05/28/2020 By Megan McDonald Photography by Kylie Fitts

Coronavirus

Another 2.4 Million People Filed for Unemployment Last Week

Even as all 50 states begin to reopen, most experts say recovery from the COVID-19 shutdown will take at least a few years.

05/21/2020 By Megan McDonald

Fizzling Out

Sarasota Bayfront, Siesta Key July 4 Fireworks Cancelled

Organizers say public safety, social distancing guidelines and crowd management in the face of COVID-19 played a major role in the decision.

05/21/2020 By Megan McDonald

Jobs

Nearly 3 Million More People Filed for Unemployment This Week

Those numbers bring the two-month total to nearly 36.5 million, according to new stats from the Department of Labor.

05/14/2020 By Megan McDonald

Coronavirus

More Than 20.5 Million Jobs Were Lost in April Alone

The unemployment rate is a staggering 14.7 percent.

05/08/2020 By Megan McDonald

Coronavirus

Almost 3.2 Million More People File Unemployment Claims

Experts expect the Department of Labor's unemployment rate for April to be at or above 15 percent.

05/07/2020 By Megan McDonald

Gift Guide

Mother's Day Gift Guide

Buy any of these gift-worthy local items individually for Mom or put them together for the ultimate mega-present. She deserves it.

05/06/2020 By Megan McDonald

Jobs

More Than 30 Million People Are Currently Unemployed in the U.S.

Another 3.8 million people filed unemployment claims last week.

04/30/2020 By Megan McDonald

Coronavirus

DeSantis Introduces Reopening Plan for Florida

The 'Safe. Smart. Step-by-Step Plan for Florida's Recovery' would allow restaurants to open indoor seating at 25 percent capacity with appropriate social distancing.

04/30/2020 By Megan McDonald

Coronavirus

Another 4.4 Million People Filed Unemployment Claims Last Week

Those claims bring the unemployment total to more than 26 million people, or 11.3 percent.

04/23/2020 By Megan McDonald

Q&A

'We're Going Backwards': A Climate Change Expert Sounds the Alarm

On the 50th anniversary of Earth Day, we asked one of the authors of a major climate change report for an update on how we're doing.

04/21/2020 By Megan McDonald